### 142

Your glancing blow sends the Chagarashi tumbling backwards into the wet foliage. As it struggles to get back on its feet, you rein in your horse and bring him around to face your wounded foe. Lieutenant Quang and the Watchers come galloping through the trees towards the Chagarashi. It has only just gotten back on its feet when the lieutenant gallops past and deals it a deadly scything blow with his kirusami. The foul creature’s head is parted from its body and sent spinning away into the leafy undergrowth.

You signal to Quang and the Watchers to gather in a circle.

‘We must proceed with caution,’ you say. ‘This creature may not have been the only one scouting this area.’

You urge your horse forward and lead the others through the tree-line in single file, with all eyes peeled for the slightest movement among the pines and foliage ahead.

Turn to 99.